Courtesy photo
In August, Pamela Morrison, Optima Bank's chief administrative officer and senior vice president, and Daniel R. Morrison, president and chief executive officer, accept the plaque for the 2012 Business of the Year from the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber's annual dinner.

PORTSMOUTH — Optima Bank & Trust has been New Hampshire’s fastest growing bank since opening its doors five years ago.

“Every month, at every one of our locations, we have seen a growth in assets, loans and deposits,” said Daniel R. Morrison, Optima Bank’s president and chief executive officer. “Both business and personal customers have noticed the positive difference our exceptional service makes.”

Since opening in January of 2008, at the beginning of the nation’s financial crisis, Optima Bank has grown from eight employees to 40, while assets had grown to more than $245 million by the end of 2012.

In addition to full-service branches in Portsmouth, Stratham and North Hampton, the bank recently opened a commercial and residential loan office in Dover at 828 Central Avenue.

“We expect in 2013 to continue to grow at the same pace,” Morrison said. “Our plans are to keep expanding, with at least one additional location on the drawing board for 2013.”

At the Portsmouth headquarters at Two Harbour Place, renovations in 2012 nearly doubled the capacity of the building, adding 18 work spaces for new employees.

Optima Bank also has had three stock offerings since opening and the bank’s stock price is up 60 percent to $16 a share.

Established as the Seacoast’s only locally-owned commercial bank, Optima Bank was named the 2012 Business of the Year by the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and a Top “10 to Watch” private company in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine.

Optima Bank has consistently earned the highest five-star superior rating for strength and stability from BauerFinancial Inc., the nation’s leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm, ever since the bank was first eligible to be considered for the rating in 2010.

From the start, Optima Bank’s management, employees and Board of Directors have been active with many non-profit and charitable organizations. The bank regularly sponsors community groups involved with education, community wellness and the arts.

“We want to be an integral part of our local communities,” Morrison said. “Our goal is to continue to invest every day in our local people, our local businesses and our local communities.”

For more information, visit the Optima full-service branches at Two Harbour Place, Portsmouth (433-9600), 26 Lafayette Road, North Hampton (433-9633) and 17 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham (773-5222) and the commercial and residential Loan Office at 828 Central Ave, Dover (516-1175) or the website at www.optimabank.com.